Retaining frame for a support element of a sensor

ABSTRACT

A retaining frame for a support element of a sensor in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The retaining frame has a flat underside that can be adhered to a window of a motor vehicle, and having an opening with at least one contact surface for the support element in which opening the support element can be positioned flat on the window and against the contact surface, and has a spring element by which a force can be applied to the support element.

This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application PCT/EP2005/003276, which was filed on Mar. 29, 2005, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 102004015402, which was filed in Germany on Mar. 26, 2004, and which are both herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a retaining frame for a support element of a sensor in a motor vehicle, wherein the sensor is held in areal contact with an inner side of a window of the motor vehicle.

2. Description of the Background Art

The use of sensors in motor vehicles, for example to sense temperature, lighting conditions, or precipitation, is commonplace today to simplify operation and improve comfort. In addition to the external meteorological influences to which the vehicle is exposed, it is also commonplace to sense the climate conditions in the motor vehicle, to measure appropriate predefinable values, such as the passenger compartment temperature, that affect the interior climate, and to control the heating and air conditioner with these measured values. Such sensors are frequently fastened to the inner side of the windshield in order to sense the external influences on the vehicle and the relevant data concerning the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. It is then possible, for example, to sense the start of precipitation through the window while simultaneously measuring the passenger compartment temperature with a temperature sensor. Such sensors are generally known and described.

DE 101 52 999 C2, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,809,530, and which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a sensor that can be used to detect a tendency toward condensation on a motor vehicle windshield. In this example embodiment, the sensor has a sensor housing in which is integrated a sensor that operates capacitively, wherein one of the two electrodes of the sensor is held by the sensor housing in such a manner that this electrode terminates flush with the window. The housing, at least in the area of the sensor, has a thin film for thermal connection to the window and to compensate for the curvature of the window. The film has high thermal conductivity and good adhesion. An aluminum oxide with adhesive components is provided here as a film, for example, so that the underside of the sensor can be adhered flush with the window.

Known from EP 0 723 897 B1 is a detector by means of which water can be detected on the outside of a glazing, in particular a composite glass window. The ultrasonic detector described in this document is adhered to the glazing be means of an adhesive film.

Another sensor that is likewise adhered to a surface by means of a thermally conductive adhesive is known from EP 0 613 000 B1, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,977. These latter two references have the disadvantage that the sensor is joined to the window such that it is nearly impossible to remove in the event of damage to the supporting material, where the supporting material in the example embodiments can be a windshield. Thus, when the windshield is replaced the sensor must be replaced as well, since it is joined to the windshield or could at least be damaged or destroyed due to its very delicate interior structure during removal from the windshield. As a result, costs for the very sophisticated sensor are incurred in addition to the cost of a new window.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a way to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and fasten the sensor to the window in a removable manner. It is also the object of the invention to create a removable connection between the sensor and the window that is simple in design and economical to implement.

The object of the invention is attained by a retaining frame for a support element of a sensor in a motor vehicle, wherein the retaining frame has a flat underside that can be adhered to a window of a motor vehicle, has an opening with at least one contact surface for the support element, in which opening the support element can be positioned flat on the window and against the contact surface, and having a spring element by which a force can be applied to the support element. The inventive use of a retaining frame, and the separation between the retaining frame and the support element for the sensor, now make it possible to attach the costly sensor element to the window in a removable manner and ensure reusability in the event of breakage of the window. Due to the inventive design, it is advantageously possible, with the most minimal design complexity and low production costs, to provide a retaining frame for the sensor that can remain on the window in the event of breakage of the window and that is easy to replace. Moreover, the inventively designed retaining frame makes it possible to press the sensor directly against the window, ensuring optimal connection of the sensor to the window. An opening is provided in the retaining frame that provides at least one contact surface in order to position the sensor vertically. In this way, easy and positionally precise installation of the support element in the retaining frame is ensured.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a retaining frame with an inserted support element and a spring element as an extension, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a retaining frame with a spring element as a spring rod;

FIG. 3 illustrates a retaining frame with a spring element as a spring rod with a support element installed;

FIG. 4 illustrates a formed metal sheet for creating a composite component;

FIG. 5 illustrates a formed metal sheet with installed support element;

FIG. 6 a formed metal sheet encased in molded plastic or metal as a composite component,

FIG. 7 illustrates a retaining frame with a formed metal sheet and installed support element;

FIG. 8 illustrates a formed metal sheet with an alternative support element; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a retaining frame with a formed metal sheet and an alternative support element installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a retaining frame 1 with an installed support element 2 and an extension 3 that is molded onto the retaining frame 1 as a single piece. The retaining frame 1 has a flat underside 4 and a contact surface 5 against which the support element 2 can be positioned at installation. Also provided on the retaining frame 1 are projections 6 by means of which the support element 2 can be clamped into the retaining frame 1. Formed as a single piece with the support element 2 is a connecting element 7, wherein the connecting element 7 in this embodiment is designed as a receptacle for a plug. In addition, the support element 2 has openings 8 that make it possible for a sensor held in the support element 2 to also sense measured values in the vehicle passenger compartment. The sensor element is not shown in this embodiment. In this case, the sensor element would be below the support element 2 in the regions 9 and 8, directly on the window. The sensor can sit directly on the window or can be connected to the window by means of a thin film. The film provides thermal coupling and also permits compensation of tolerances with regard to the curvature of the window. Ribs 10 are provided to stiffen the retaining frame 8; for purposes of clearer illustration, only one rib 10 is labeled with a reference number in FIG. 1.

In this example embodiment, the retaining frame 1 has a closed form and extends completely around the support element 2. This has the advantage that the retaining frame 1 keeps its shape when adhered to the windshield, and that the support element 2 can be installed very easily and with precise positioning. An extension 3 is molded onto the retaining frame 1 as a single piece; this extension can be brought partially over the support element 2. When the support element 2 is inserted against the contact surface 5, the support element 2, and in this case especially the connecting element 7, can be brought under the extension 3 by elastic bending of the extension, and the support element 2 sits in the retaining frame 1 under preloading. The retaining frame 1 is preferably made of plastic or metal, as for example aluminum or die-cast zinc, so that the extension 3 can be elastically displaced and can be brought over the support element 2. The projections 6 apply additional clamping force in this regard and position the support element 2 very precisely in the retaining frame 1.

Even though only one support element is provided in this and the following example embodiments, it is equally conceivable according to the invention to accommodate, position and hold one multi-piece support element or multiple support elements, and thus multiple sensors as well, in one retaining frame. In this regard, it is conceivable to connect one or even more connecting elements to electrically contact the different support elements.

FIG. 2 also shows a closed form of a retaining frame 11. The retaining frame 11 likewise has a contact surface 12, a spring element 13 that is embodied as a spring rod 13, and a number of extensions 14, 15, 16, by means of which a support element can be fixed and positioned in the retaining frame 11.

Depending on the sensor used and on the design constraints of a support element, it is possible to exert a central and settable force on a support element by means of the spring rod 13. The spring rod 13 is pivotably accommodated in a retainer 17 and has a first end 18, by means of which a force can be exerted on the support element, and a second end 19 that can be hooked under a projection in the form of a lug 20. The extensions 14, 15, 16 are connected to the retaining frame 11 as a single piece, and act in such a manner as to exert a force on a support element and press it toward a window. A support frame can be slid under the extensions 15, 16; in contrast, a support frame can be latched or clipped under the extensions 14, which have a mirror-image arrangement.

FIG. 3 shows a retaining frame 11 from FIG. 2 with installed support element 21. In a first step, the underside 22 of the retaining frame 11 is provided with an adhesive film or adhesive, and is adhered to the windshield. Next, the support element 21 is pushed under the extensions 15, 16 and is latched under the extensions 14. In this combined embodiment with two types of spring elements, namely the extensions 14, 15, 16 and the spring rod 13, a very precisely controllable exertion of force on the support element 21 can be set. Once the support element 21 is held in the retaining frame 11 by means of the extensions 14, 15, and 16, the spring rod 13 is pivoted in the retainer 17 in the direction of the arrow P and the second end 19 under the lug 20 is hooked under the lug 20 in opposition to the preloading produced by the first end 18 against the support element 21. By this means, the support element 21 is additionally subjected to a force so that optimal connection of the sensor (not shown) is achieved in the support element 21. The retaining frame 11 is also provided with ribs 23 to stiffen the retaining frame 11.

FIG. 4 shows a formed metal sheet 24. The formed metal sheet 24 has a first flat region 25 and a second overhanging region 26, and also has installation openings 27. The formed metal sheet 24 is preferably made of steel, and more preferably of spring steel, but in any case is made from an elastically movable, high-quality material. Two U-shaped clips are formed in the overhanging region 26. As shown in FIG. 5, a support element 29 can be brought under these clips 28. By means of these clips 28, a preloading is applied to the support element 29, and the support element is simultaneously positioned.

FIG. 6 shows an open form of the retaining frame 30. The formed metal sheet 24 in this example embodiment is encased in plastic by injection molding, so that the retaining frame 30 is made as a composite component of a formed metal sheet 24 and a plastic coating. An additional component, for example a cover, can now be installed in the installation openings 27. In this regard, the installation clip 27 in the overhanging region 26 preferably serves to raise the region 26 during installation of the support element 29 with the integrated sensor.

FIG. 7 shows a retaining frame 30 in which a support element 29 is placed. For installation, the support element 29 is laid against the contact surface 31 and is pushed under the overhanging region 26 until the support element 29 is clamped under the projection 32 and is fixed and positioned by means of the clips 28. In this case, the preloading of the overhanging region 26 acts on the support element 29.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative form of a support element 33. In contrast to the above-described support elements 2, 20, and 29, this support element is provided with a connecting element 34 in the form of a jack, angled by approxiametly 90°. This embodiment of a support element 33 is useful depending on the design constraints. FIG. 9 shows the finished molded-in retaining frame 35 with integrated formed metal sheet 24 and installed support element 33.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A retaining frame for at least one support element of a sensor in a motor vehicle, the retaining frame comprising: a flat underside that is adhereable to a window of the motor vehicle; an opening with at least one contact surface for the support element, in which opening the support element is positioned such that it is substantially flat on the window; and a spring element that applies a force to the support element.
 2. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein at least one projection is provided on the retaining frame so that the support element is clamped into the retaining frame.
 3. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein a connecting element formed as a receptacle or plug is formed as a single part on the support element so that the support element can be connected with a detachable electric line.
 4. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein the spring element includes at least one bent spring rod and is held in the retaining frame so that one end of the spring rod acts in a direction of the support element and another end is hooked with preloading in a projection of the retaining frame.
 5. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein the spring element includes at least one extension that is molded onto the retaining frame as a single piece, and wherein the extension is brought over the support element.
 6. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein the retaining frame is made of an injection-moldable material and the spring element is composed of at least one formed metal sheet, wherein the formed metal sheet is encased by injection molding in the material of the retaining frame, wherein the formed metal sheet projects from the retaining frame so that the support element is positioned and clamped under the formed metal sheet.
 7. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein the spring element is composed of a combination of at least one each of the spring elements of spring rod and/or extension and/or formed metal sheet.
 8. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein the retaining frame is made of plastic or die-cast zinc or aluminum.
 9. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a rain sensor and/or temperature sensor and/or moisture sensor.
 10. The retaining frame according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the analysis electronics is contained in the support element.
 11. The retaining frame according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is held flush with an inner side of the window and, wherein the support element has openings so that at least one measured value for a climate of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle can be detected by the sensor. 